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UL change to GFCI's green LED status light

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Electroplaxes

Member
Location
Nunica, MI
Had to order some devices today. The job specs call out for all "GFCIs to have (green) LED status indicators". I called around to the supply houses to get some and they all only have red. So I sent out some emails to find out why no one is carrying them anymore. I got an email from a Hubbell rep saying that it's do to 2014/2015 UL changes that no longer allow green indicators. Does any one know why they did this and where I might find some literature on these changes?
 
renosteinke

renosteinke

Senior Member
Location
NE Arkansas
I had not heard this before.

Some GFCI light up when they're ready to use; others light up when tripped. Personally, I would like them to show 'green' when the light meant everything was fine, and red or yellow when there was a trip.

I would suggest that you write UL, and share their reply with us. I'd love to hear their explanation.
 
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GoldDigger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
renosteinke said:
I had not heard this before.

Some GFCI light up when they're ready to use; others light up when tripped. Personally, I would like them to show 'green' when the light meant everything was fine, and red or yellow when there was a trip.

I would suggest that you write UL, and share their reply with us. I'd love to hear their explanation.
Click to expand...

SWAG: People tend, as you do, to associate green with an indication that everything is working, not just that it has power.
But there is no continuously running test for a GFCI receptacle, the test only happens only when you press the test button. So any "green" indication would be flat out misleading or else out of date.
 
augie47

augie47

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee
Occupation
State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
I did an insection the other day and notices the GFCI receptacles had indicator lights but they were not "on" when the device was allowing power, nor did they come "on" when tripped.
The E/C found the instruction sheet and it advised the light illuminates when there is a problem with the GFCI.
So now on a given job I may have GFCIs with lamps illuminated when on, when tripped, or when "faulty" but not tripped. Go figure :D
 
mgookin

mgookin

Senior Member
Location
Fort Myers, FL
Occupation
Retired inspector, plans examiner & building official
I'd call the guy who wrote the spec and request he amend it based on the Hubbell communication. Easy fix.
 
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